Senator Byrd’s final poetic moment in the chamber he served

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Senator Robert Byrd’s flag-draped casket was carried into the chamber where he had fiercely protected Senate tradition, rule, and decorum during more than half -a-century of pressing for the needs of his constituents in West Virginia.

His body lay in repose on the Senate floor in front of the wooden desks where he helped shape U.S. history and displayed his oratory skills.

The last time such an honor was bestowed was in 1959, the year that Byrd joined the Senate.

When he died at age 92, the Democrat also made history as the longest-serving member of Congress.

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Toby covers national security. She used to run the Front Row Washington politics blog, was a White House correspondent during President George W. Bush's second term, and has covered intelligence, defense, foreign policy, and Congress. As Dallas correspondent she covered the stand-off in Waco. Early years in New York were spent covering financial markets and New York Fed.